Image data communications device and method

ABSTRACT

An image data communication apparatus is connected to an image data source and to a network, and transmits image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network. The e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message. The image data is attached to the e-mail as an openable document. The image data communication apparatus comprises a memory which stores information regarding an identification of at least one user of the image data communication apparatus and a mail address of the at least one user, and a panel section which selects the information regarding an identification of at least one user and the mail address of the at least one user stored in the memory. The image data communication apparatus comprises a controller which sets information regarding the identification of the user and the mail address of the user selected by the panel section, into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/461,402 filed on Dec. 15, 1999. The present inventionrelates to the subject matter disclosed in Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 11-056493, filed on Mar. 4, 1999, the disclosures of both of whichare expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an image data communicationapparatus such as a network facsimile apparatus, and a method ofcommunicating the image data.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] When a user sends data through a facsimile machine, the datagenerally contains a transmitter's identification. The transmitter'sidentification is usually registered at the facsimile machine, and isoverwritten on image data or printed on the upper end of the image datareceived by a recipient. The transmitter's identification is generallyinput to the facsimile machine through its operation panel.Identification data created by a personal computer (PC) can be also sentinto a facsimile machine via the PSTN (Public Switched TelephoneNetwork). On the other hand, registration through E-mail (electronicmail) can be practiced in a network facsimile that communicates througha network such as the Internet.

[0006] As discussed above, using a regular facsimile machine, arecipient can identify who sent a message even it has no name in a“From: ” line, because the transmitter's identification is overwrittenon the message or printed on the upper end of the received paper.However, in the case of the network facsimile, a message does not alwaysarrive at a facsimile machine, but it may arrive at a terminal of a PCor a workstation, which is capable of receiving E-mail. In such a case,the terminal confirms the arrival of data with E-mail browsing software,and because the message is sent as a file attached to the E-mail, arecipient cannot identify who sent the message until the recipient readsthe attached file. When the recipient answers the message through areply function of the browsing software, the answer is always sent backto the facsimile machine that has sent the message. Therefore, if anintended person does not watch the machine for the arrival of an answer,or another person is present at the machine, the answer is sometimesmisplaced or delivered to a wrong address.

[0007] Further, a facsimile machine's operation panel does not easilyregister multi-digit data such as a mail address, and further, suchregistering is time consuming. On the other hand, registration throughthe PSTN requires a dedicated program at a PC side, and this method thushas not become popular. Registration through E-mail allows a simpleinput operation; however, a format readable by a facsimile machine mustbe employed. Thus, the operator must be furnished with some knowledgebefore registering a mail address.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea communications device and a method of communication, through which arecipient can identify a transmitter before opening a file attached toan E-mail when the recipient receives the E-mail with E-mail browsingsoftware.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acommunications device and a method of communication, through which atransmitter can send an answer to an intended person when thetransmitter uses a reply function of the E-mail browsing software.

[0010] It is still another object of the present invention to provide acommunications device and a method of communication, where atransmitter's identification can be registered with a simple operationwithout any special knowledge.

[0011] A communications device of the present invention comprises thefollowing elements in order to achieve these objects: an image datacreating section; an image data sending section for sending image dataaccording to an E-mail message transfer protocol; and a register forregistering a plurality of identifications of the transmitter. Thedevice also includes an identification sending section for selecting oneof the identifications and sending it through E-mail.

[0012] Using the communications device having the elements discussedabove, when a transmitter sends image data by E-mail over the Internet,an operator (in most cases the transmitter is an operator) puts theidentification in a “From: ” line for each mail based on thetransmitter's intention. A recipient then can identify the transmitterbefore opening a file attached to the image data. When the recipientanswers the E-mail using a reply function of the E-mail browsingsoftware, this communications device allows the answer data to reach anintended person.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, thecommunications device does not output the registered data or HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document for data input when an unauthorizedrequest is received. Such an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) requestcomes from a host or an address different from the registered hosts orIP (Internet Protocol) addresses. In response to the unauthorizedrequest, the device is prevented from displaying the registered documentor registration screen. Therefore, the communications device of thepresent invention allows an transmitter's identification to beregistered or displayed only when a registered host or a registered IPaddress holder makes a request. The identifications are thus keptconfidential and are not disclosed to non-registered hosts and IPaddresses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention is further described in the detaileddescription that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way ofnon-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention,in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing, and wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communications device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2A shows a default transmitter's identification;

[0017]FIG. 2B shows a table of transmitter's identification inaccordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting an operation for changingtransmitter's name;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an operation for changing a nameand a mail address of a transmitter;

[0020]FIG. 5A shows a basic mail format, in accordance with the SMTP(Simple E-mail Transfer Protocol) standard used in the exemplaryembodiment;

[0021]FIG. 5B shows a format where a transmitter's name is changed, inaccordance with the SMTP standard used in the exemplary embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 5C shows a format where a transmitter's name and E-mailaddress are changed, in accordance with the SMTP standard used in theexemplary embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 5D shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and mail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTPstandard used in the exemplary embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 5E shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and mail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTPstandard used in the exemplary embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 5F shows a format where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and mail From command are changed, in accordance with the SMTPstandard used in the exemplary embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance withthe exemplary embodiment of the present invention for displaying aninput screen used for registering the transmitter's identification in atransmitter's ID table;

[0027]FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance withthe exemplary embodiment of the present invention for displaying thetransmitter's identification from the transmitter's ID table;

[0028]FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an operation in accordance withthe exemplary embodiment of the present invention for registering thetransmitter's identification in the transmitter's ID table;

[0029]FIG. 9A shows an exemplary transmitter's ID table whereidentifications have been registered;

[0030]FIG. 9B shows an exemplary host name table where identificationshave been registered;

[0031]FIG. 10 shows an HTML document where the transmitter's IDs are tobe registered in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0032]FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary exchanging of information betweenservers on the Internet, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0033]FIG. 12A shows a verification procedure of an IP address without amask,

[0034]FIG. 12B shows a verification procedure of an IP address with amask;

[0035]FIG. 12C shows a verification procedure of a host name; and

[0036]FIG. 12D show a verification procedures of a host name.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0037] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communications device inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. LAN(local area network) line 1 is coupled to communications device 2 viaLAN interface 18. Communications device 2 sends and receives image datavia LAN line 1 or PSTN 19, and is provided with facsimile and E-mailsending/receiving functions. In FIG. 1, these functions are integratedand housed into a cabinet, which is called communications device 2.Alternatively, functions and sections can be housed into multiple boxes,which can be integrated into a system to function as communicationsdevice 2. For instance, a PC having a separate scanner and printer canbe used as device 2.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, communications device 2 comprises thefollowing elements:

[0040] (a) CPU (central processing unit) 3 for controlling the entireoperation of device 2;

[0041] (b) panel section 4 for setting an operation and controlling theoperation of device 2 through operation keys and buttons;

[0042] (c) fax (facsimile) communication section (tx/rc) 5 forsending/receiving data;

[0043] (d) recording section (printer/display) 6 for recording thereceived data on a sheet of paper or displaying the received data on adisplay device;

[0044] (e) scanner 10 for scanning image data to be sent as electricalsignals;

[0045] (f) coding section (coder/decoder) 7 for coding or decoding imagedata;

[0046] (g) memory 8 for storing transmitters' identifications, imagedata to be sent, and sent mail data; and

[0047] (h) ROM (read only memory) 9 for storing an operation program ofdevice 2.

[0048] Coding section 7 encodes the image data scanned by scanner 10into binary data, or decodes the binary data received through E-mail andconverts it into facsimile format. In other words, coding section 7 hasfunctions for converting image data into an E-mail format or facsimileformat, converting each format into the other format, and compressing orde-compressing data when necessary.

[0049] Memory 8 comprises the following elements:

[0050] (g-1) default transmitter's identification 11;

[0051] (g-2) transmitter's ID table 12;

[0052] (g-3) host name table 13;

[0053] (g-4) IP address table 14;

[0054] (g-5) image data storage region 15; and

[0055] (g-6) sending mail creating region 16.

[0056] The default transmitter's identification 11 stores thetransmitter's name and his/her mail address of the communications device2 in pairs, and sets transmitter's identifications. Transmitter's IDtable 12 stores respective transmitter's identifications following thedefault transmitter's identification 11, thus table 12 is capable ofstoring multiple transmitter's identifications. Communications device 2is usually used by multiple users, and when each user uses respectiveidentifications proper to him/her, multiple transmitter'sidentifications are registered. If communications device 2 isexclusively used by one user, multiple transmitter's identificationsneed not to be registered; however, a transmitter's name and mailaddress are the minimum requirement for a transmitter's identification.In addition to these, a company name, telephone number, and fax numbermay be used depending on needs. Therefore, multiple pieces ofinformation are registered at communications device 2 regardless of thenumber of users.

[0057] Names of CPUs linked to communications device 2 are registered athost name table 13 of device 2. In the same manner, IP addresses areregistered at IP address table 14. Image data storage region 15 storesthe image data scanned in with scanner 10. Sending mail creating region16 converts the image data stored in storage region 15 into an E-mailformat, thereby creating image data to be sent by E-mail. A givenoperation at panel section 4 allows CPU 3 to control this E-mail imagedata to send the image data to another communications device 2 via LANline 1 and over the Internet. This procedure is detailed later. Modem 17is connected to fax communication section 5, and sends/receives data viaPSTN 19.

[0058] A basic operation of sending/receiving image data in thisembodiment is described hereinafter. Sending/receiving image datathrough E-mail is now described.

[0059] First, set a message to be sent at scanner 10, then input a mailaddress of a recipient through operation panel 4. Second, push the startbutton on panel 4, then CPU 3 commences executing the program stored inROM 9 so that scanner 10 reads the message. The image data input byscanner 10 is coded into binary data by coding section 7, and stored inimage data storage region 15 in memory section 8. The stored image datais converted into an E-mail format by sending mail creating region 16.Through this conversion, the image data is converted into 7-bit textcode in accordance with “MIME” (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions),which is well-known as an Internet E-mail standard. The image dataconverted into the E-mail format is sent via LAN line 1 as an E-mailaccording to the E-mail message transfer protocol.

[0060] At this time, when an operator does not specify a transmitter'sidentification, the transmitter's identification stored in the defaulttransmitter's identification 11 is attached to this E-mail as a piece ofE-mail information. If the operator operates panel section 4 and sets atransmitter's identification to be attached to this E-mail, or selects aspecific identification among those stored in transmitter's ID table 12,the set or selected identification is attached to the E-mail and sentout. The transmitter's identification is detailed later.

[0061] The E-mail information thus produced in sending mail creatingregion 16 is sent to the recipient together with the transmitter'sidentification as an E-mail via LAN or over the Internet according to aprotocol such as SMTP. The recipient is thus able to see thetransmitter's identification on the E-mail without opening an attachedfile including the image data.

[0062] On the other hand, when the image data input by scanner 10 issent through a fax machine, the image data is supplied to fax sendingsection 5, and then the image data is sent to a recipient's fax machinevia PSTN 19. The transmitter's identification has been stored in faxsending section 5, and is overwritten on the message or printed on theupper end of the message sheet before the message is sent out.

[0063] In the above description, scanner 10 reads the message to produceimage data; however, the image data can be created on a PC screen anddirectly converted into binary data by coding section 7.

[0064] The case when communications device 2 receives the image data isnow described. When device 2 receives the image data in E-mail formatvia LAN line 1, the recipient is able to see the image data togetherwith the transmitter's identification on an E-mail screen. The receivedimage data is stored in sending mail creating region 16, and can beprinted on paper as a piece of fax information as well as seen on anE-mail screen. The received image data is converted into binary data,which is a fax format, in creating region 16, and then decoded intovisible data, i.e., the printable data, by coding section 7. Then thedata is printed by recording section 6. The image data thus received isvisible on paper. When the image data is received via PSTN 19 by aregular fax machine, the image data is printed by recording section 6via fax sending section 5 in a usual manner.

[0065] A method of creating a transmitter's identification is nowdescribed. FIG. 2A shows a default identification of a fax machine, andFIG. 2B shows a transmitter's identification (ID) table. As shown inFIG. 2A, the default stores a machine's name and address in pairs. Amachine's name is usually shown by using this default and an error mailis returned to the machine's address also by using this default.

[0066] As previously described, communications device 2 is generallyused by a plurality of users. When each user establishes his/her owntransmitter's identification, those identifications must be registeredand displayed. FIG. 2B shows an exemplary table where a plurality ofusers are registered. The table entries include respective users' namesand mail addresses. A method of registration is described later.

[0067] When the users do not specify their own identifications, thedefault shown in FIG. 2A, i.e., the machine's name and mail addressassigned to communications device 2, is automatically attached to amessage to be sent. If a transmitter wants to attach an identificationother than that assigned to device 2, e.g., his/her own name and mailaddress, the machine's identification assigned to device 2 must bechanged. In this case, it can be changed directly by input through panelsection 4, or by using the transmitter's ID table. The change operationis described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3.

[0068] In Step 1 (Step is called hereinafter “S”), input a recipient'saddress through panel section 4. Then, in S2, input whether atransmitter's identification should be changed. If the change is needed,select what is to be changed, i.e., only a name, or a name and address,in S3 through panel section 4. When only a name is changed, select whichmethod is taken, i.e., input a new name of the transmitter directlythrough panel 4, or change the name in the transmitter's ID table (referto FIG. 2B) in S4. When the name is input through panel 4, go to S5 andinput the transmitter's name directly. Then, go to S7, where scanner 10reads a message, and set the name as a transmitter's identification inS8. Finally, in S9, send it according to the E-mail transfer protocol.

[0069] In S4, when selecting the transmitter's ID table for changing thename of the transmitter, select his/her own name referring to the tablein S6. A method of selecting his/her own name is described later withreference to FIG. 7. Then, follow the same procedure as discussed above,namely, go to S7 where scanner 10 reads the message, and set the name asa transmitter's identification in S8. Finally, send it out in S9.

[0070] On the other hand, when selecting not to change the transmitter'sID in S2, use the default (refer to FIG. 2A) as the transmitter'sidentification in S10, then go to S7 and follow the same procedure asdiscussed above.

[0071] In the cases discussed above, the default is still used as theE-mail address of the transmitter so that an error mail or a replyreturns to or reaches communications device 2.

[0072] In S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, when changing both thename and mail address is selected, the procedure shown in FIG. 4executes.

[0073]FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an operation of changing both thename and mail address. In S11, select the desired method, i.e., inputthese two factors directly through panel 4, or change these factors inthe ID table. When inputting them directly through panel 4, input thename and mail address directly through panel 4 in S12. Then, in S13select whether the E-mail address designated by the mail From command ischanged. The mail From command is issued between servers, morespecifically, this command is available in the information flow (referto FIG. 11, line 4) between servers, and is usually utilized inreturning an error mail.

[0074] In FIG. 11, messages between a mail server R (receiving server)and a mail server S (sending server) are shown. “R:” indicates that amessage is from mail server R and “S:” indicates that a message is frommail server S. The first line indicates that the mail server R is“BBN-UNIX. ARPA,” and that the mail transfer service is ready. Thesecond line indicates that mail server S is “USC-ISIF. ARPA.” Lines 4and 5 show the messages relating to the mail sender. Lines 6-11 show themessages relating to the mail receiver. Lines 12-17 show the messagesrelating to the mail data. Lines 18 and 19 show the messages relating toterminating the mail.

[0075] In a case of changing the mail From command, change the E-mailaddress of the command in the message transfer protocol in S14. Then, goto S7 and follows the steps shown in FIG. 3. If the mail From command isnot changed in S13, go to S7 and follow the steps shown in FIG. 3.

[0076] On the other hand, when the name and mail address of thetransmitter are changed by using the ID table, change these two factorsin the table in S15, and then go to S13 and follow the steps onward. Amethod of selecting the transmitter's identification is detailed laterwith reference to FIG. 7.

[0077]FIG. 5A through FIG. 5F show a mail format in accordance with theSMTP standard. FIG. 5A shows a basic E-mail format. Fig. 5B shows aformat where a transmitter's name is changed, and Fig. 5C shows a formatwhere a name and an E-mail address of the transmitter are changed. Fig.SD through Fig. S5 show formats where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and the mail From command are changed.

[0078] The E-mail format, as shown in Fig. 5A, has the mail From commandand a mail message. The command indicates the E-mail address of thetransmitter, and a reply to an error mail reaches this mail address. TheE-mail message includes a version number of the MIME, which is one ofthe E-mail standard functions, mail software (X-Mailer: ), transmitter'sname (comment) and E-mail address (Mail address), which make up thetransmitter's identification. The E-mail message also includes a“Subject: ”, as well as a destination, i.e., “To: ”.

[0079]Fig. 5B-Fig. 5F show examples of mail formats that have beenchanged according to the transmitter's ID table shown in FIG. 2B. Fig.5B shows an example where only a transmitter's name of a mail messagehas been changed to “suzuki”. In this case, the mail From command andthe E-mail address of the mail message remain the default, an error mailis returned to “fax@aaa.bbb.jp”, i.e., “Internet FAX” as the machine'sname of communications device 2.

[0080]FIG. 5C shows an example where the transmitter's name and mailaddress are changed to “suzuki”. In this case, an error message is alsoreturned to “Internet FAX”, i.e., machine's name of communicationsdevice 2.

[0081]FIG. 5D shows an example where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress and the mail From command are all changed to “suzuki”. In thiscase, an error mail is returned to the E-mail address of “suzuki”, thetransmitter, i.e., “usr1@abc.defg.jp”.

[0082]FIG. 5E shows an example where the transmitter's name,E-mail-address, and the mail From command are all changed to “MGCS”. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the transmitter's name “MGCS” does not have a mailaddress, therefore, a default mail-address, i.e., “fax@aaa.bbb.jp”, isused as a mail address. In this case, an error mail is returned to themachine's name “Internet FAX” of communications device 2.

[0083]FIG. 5F shows an example where the transmitter's name, E-mailaddress, and mail From command are all changed to “usr4@abc.defg.jp”. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the E-mail address “usr4@abc.defg.jp” does not have atransmitter, thus “comment” of the transmitter is omitted. In this case,an error mail is returned to the E-mail address “usr4@abc.defg.jp”.

[0084] When sending, the transmitter's identification is shown in thetext of the E-mail message and in the data of the E-mail messagetransfer protocol. For instance, when the transmitter's identificationis the E-mail address, it is shown as a mail address of the transmitterof the E-mail message transfer protocol and a mail address of a “From: ”line in a message text. The E-mail address cannot be shown to the E-mailtransfer message protocol, but it can be shown in the E-mail address ofthe “From: ” line in the E-mail message because the E-mail address isthe mail address of the transmission machine itself.

[0085] When a transmitter's identification is his/her mail address andhis/her name, the identification is notified as a mail address and as acomment in the “From: ” line of the E-mail message. When thetransmitter's identification is his/her name, the identification can benotified as a comment in the “From: ” line in the E-mail message.

[0086] Next, a method of registering and displaying a transmitter'sidentification is described. FIGS. 6-8 are flowcharts depicting theoperation of registering and displaying the transmitter'sidentification. FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an operation ofdisplaying an input screen. FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an operationof displaying registered data. FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting anoperation of registering the transmitter's identification.

[0087] The operation of displaying the input screen for registering thetransmitter's identification is now described. Communications device 2is furnished with an indication (YES/NO) of whether it is necessary toverify a requesting party before outputting a registration form. If YEShas been registered at device 2, the device must be informed of whetherverification by an IP address or by a host name is necessary. Whenverification by IP address is practiced, the IP address must beregistered in advance at the transmitter's ID table, shown in FIG. 9A;when verification by host name is practiced, the host name must beregistered in advance at the host name table, shown in FIG. 9B.

[0088] In FIG. 6, first input a password in S20 (Step 20), thendetermine, when HTTP protocol makes a request, whether a registrationform has been requested to be displayed in S21. If the protocol requeststhe registration form to be displayed, it is determined in S22, whenverification is necessary, whether a requesting party is alreadyregistered. This verification in S22 allows only a given host alreadyregistered to verify registered information or to register information,and prevents the information from being accessed by other hosts. Theinformation security is thus maintained. When the information isprotected by a firewall and is adequately protected from access byoutsiders, “NO verification” is set in S22.

[0089] When “YES verification” is set in S22, determine in S23 whetherIP address verification is required. If IP address verification isrequired, then determine whether an IP address of the station requestingthe registration form by HTTP protocol agrees with the IP addressalready registered in S24. When the IP addresses agree, output theregistration form in S25. When the IP addresses do not agree, it isdetermined that an outsider is attempting access, and then, issue anerror notice or reject the request and do not output the registrationform in S26. The registering operation thus does not occur.

[0090] Because the IP address is attached to the PC terminal or theserver that requests the registration form, it must be determinedwhether this IP address agrees with the IP addresses already registeredat the transmitter's ID table. This IP address agreement is determinedas follows.

[0091] Assume that the IP address and IP mask already registered are thecontent of FIG. 9A. If a PC having IP address “001.001.002.123” requestsoutput of the registration form when the IP mask is not set, thisrequest is accepted because this IP address agrees with that registeredat the transmitter's ID table. On the other hand, if a PC having IPaddress “001.001.002.124” requests the output of the registration form,this request is refused because this IP address does not agree with thatregistered at the transmitter's IDs table. FIG. 1 2A depicts thisprocedure.

[0092] When the IP mask is set as shown in FIG. 9A, the followingprocess is practiced. If the PC having an IP address of“001.001.001.103” requests output of the registration form, this requestis accepted because the IP address with the mask agrees with the“001.001.001” portion since the IP mask is “255.255.255.128”. On theother hand, if the PC having an IP address of “001.001.001.201” requeststhe output of the registration form, this request is refused because theIP address with the mask does not agree with the registered IP address.FIG. 12B depicts this procedure.

[0093] In FIG. 6, when the verification by IP address is not set in S23,determine in S27 whether a host name verification is set. If theverification has been set, determine whether the host name of thestation requesting the output of the registration form by HTTP protocolagrees with the host name already registered at the host name table,shown in FIG. 9B, in S28.

[0094] Assume that the host name has been registered as FIG. 9B shows.When the PC having the host name of “pc1.abc.defg.jp” requests theoutput of the registration form, as shown in FIG. 12C, this request isaccepted because the host name agrees with that registered at the hostname table shown in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, when the PC having thehost name of “pc3.abc.defg.jp” requests the output of the registrationform, this request is refused because the host name does not agree withthat registered in the table.

[0095] When the workstation having the host name of “ws1.aaa.bbb.jp”requests the output of registration form as shown in FIG. 12D, thisrequest is accepted because the domain of this host name agrees withthat of the host name registered in the host name table. On the otherhand, when the workstation having the host name of “ws2.aab.bbb.jp”requests the output of the registration form, this request is refusedbecause the domain of this host name is not registered in the table andthe host name does not agree with the domain of the host name in thehost name table.

[0096] When the host names agree in S28, output the registration form inS25. When the host names do not agree, issue an error notice, or rejectthe request and do not output the registration form in S26. Theregistering operation thus does not occur. If the verification of therequesting party is not needed in S22, or no verification of the hostname has been set in S27, then output the registration form in S25.

[0097]FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of registering and verifying theform by an HTML document. In FIG. 10, “f1” indicates an input area for apassword for registering and displaying, and “f2” as well as “f3”indicate an input area for selecting either registration or display. Aclick selects either one. Clicking “f2” selects a new registration, andclicking “f3” selects display of registered data. Indicated by “f4” isan area for registering/displaying a transmitter's name, and “f5”indicates an area for registering/displaying a mail address. Indicatedby “f6” is an ON/OFF switch, which sets the necessity of changing atransmitter's mail address of E-mail message transfer protocol toYES/NO. Indicated by “f7” is a send switch for sending input data, and“f8” is a canceling switch for erasing the input data.

[0098] When displaying registered data, set a password in the passwordinput area indicated by “f1”. Next, click the display area indicated by“f3”, and click the send switch indicated by “f7”. Then, registeredcontent is read out and displayed in the registering/displaying areaindicated by “f4” and mail address registering/displaying area indicatedby “f5”.

[0099] When a new registration is required, set a password in thepassword input area indicated by “f1”, and click theregistering/inputting area indicated by “f2” to select “registration”.Next, input a transmitter's name in the transmitter's nameregistering/displaying area indicated by “f4”, and also input a mailaddress in the E-mail address registering/displaying area indicated by“f5”. When changing the E-mail address of transmitter of E-mail messagetransfer protocol, click the ON/OFF switch indicated by “f6” to turn ON.Finally, click the send switch indicated by “f7” to complete theregistration.

[0100] Next, the process of displaying the registered data is described.When the step S21 shown in FIG. 6 is not a request for the registrationform, move to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 for displaying registereddata. First, determine whether S31 has a request through HTTP protocolfor displaying registered data by the input signal. If S31 has therequest for displaying the registered data, determine in S32 whetherverification of a requesting party is needed, i.e., whether therequesting party is identified as already registered. If theverification is needed, determine in S33 whether verification ispracticed with an IP address. When the verification with an IP addresshas been set, determine in S34 whether the IP address of the stationrequesting the registered data with HTTP protocol agrees with one of theIP addresses already registered. If the IP addresses agree, determine inS35 whether password verification is needed. If password verification isneeded, determine in S36 whether the password input together with therequest for registered data by HTTP protocol agrees with the passwordalready registered. When the passwords agree, output the registrationform where the transmitter's name of “f4” and mail address of “f5” pairwith registered data in S37.

[0101] When the IP address verification is not needed in S33, determinewhether a host name must be verified in S38. If the verification isneeded, determine whether the host names agree in S39. If the host namesagree, go to S35 where the necessity of password verification isdetermined. If the host name verification is not needed in S38, or theverification of the requesting party is not needed in S32, go to S35where the password is verified.

[0102] If the IP addresses do not agree in S34, the passwords do notagree in S36, or the host names do not agree in S39, go to S40. Then,issue an error message or reject the request, and do not output theregistration form.

[0103] Next, a process of registering data is described. In S31 of FIG.7, if there is no request to display the registered data, go to theflowchart for registering data, shown in FIG. 8. First, in S41,determine whether registering data is requested. If registering data isrequested, then confirm whether a verification is needed, i.e., if therequesting party has been registered.

[0104] Respective steps from S42 to S46 are identical to S32-S36 shownin FIG. 7, and S48 and S49 are also identical to S38 and S39 shown inFIG. 7. Their description is thus omitted here.

[0105] When the passwords agree in S46, or the password verification isnot needed in S45, register the data in S47. On the other hand, whenthere is no request for registering data in S41, go to S50, then, issuean error notice and do not register data. Also, when the IP address inS44, the password in S46, and the host name in S49 do not agree withrespective counterparts, go to S50.

[0106] The communications device of the present invention as discussedabove comprises the following elements: an image data creating section;an image data sending section for sending an image data according to anE-mail message transfer protocol; a register for registering multipletransmitters' identifications; and an identification sending section forselecting one of the identifications and sending it through E-mail.

[0107] Using the communications device having the elements discussedabove, when a transmitter sends image data by E-mail over the Internet,the transmitter puts his/her identification in a “From: ” line for eachmail based on an operator's intention. A recipient then can identify thetransmitter before opening a file attached to the image data. When therecipient answers the E-mail using a reply function of the E-mailbrowsing software, this communications device allows the answer data toreach an intended person.

[0108] According to an aspect of the present invention thiscommunications device does not output the registered data or HTMLdocument for data input when a host other than one registered or anaddress other than a registered IP addresses requests, according to theHTTP protocol, to read the registered image or data. Therefore, thecommunications device of the present invention allows a transmitter'sidentification to be registered or displayed only when a registered hostor a registered IP address holder makes a request. The identificationsare thus kept secret from non-registered hosts and IP addresses.

[0109] While the invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have beenused are words of description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the disclosure aspresently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention in its aspects. Further, although the inventionhas been described with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein. For example, requests through protocolsother than HTTP are possible, as are document formats other than HTML.Rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures,methods and uses. Although the present invention has been described inconsiderable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments,other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope and spirit of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred embodiments contained herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image data communication apparatus connectedto an image data source and to a network, and transmitting image dataattached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, thee-mail including a mail from command and a mail message, the image dataattached to the e-mail as an openable document, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a memory configured to storeinformation regarding an identification of at least one user of theimage data communication apparatus and a mail address of the at leastone user; a panel section configured to select the information regardingan identification of at least one user and the mail address of the atleast one user stored in the memory; and a controller configured to setthe information regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user selected by the panel section, into the mail messageof the e-mail to which the image data is attached, whereby opening, atthe receiving apparatus, of the attached image data is not required todetermine the information regarding the identification of the user, andthe mail address of the user set into the mail message of the e-mail canbe utilized as a destination for a reply to the e-mail, the reply beingsent from the receiving apparatus.
 2. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data source comprisesa scanner connected to the image data communication apparatus.
 3. Theimage data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thepanel section comprises a personal computer connected to the image datacommunication apparatus.
 4. The image data communication apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the personal computer displays an HTMLdocument for storing the information regarding the identification of theuser and the mail address of the user in the memory.
 5. The image datacommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image dataattached to the e-mail is converted into a format for e-mailtransmission.
 6. An image data communication apparatus connected to animage data source and to a network, and transmitting image data attachedto an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mailincluding a mail from command and a mail message, the image dataattached to the e-mail as an openable document, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a memory configured to storeinformation regarding an identification of at least one user of theimage data communication apparatus and a mail address of the at leastone user; a panel section configured to select the information regardingan identification of at least one user and the mail address of the atleast one user stored in the memory; and a controller configured to setthe information regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user selected by the panel section, into the mail messageof the e-mail to which the image data is attached, whereby opening, atthe receiving apparatus, of the attached image data is not required todetermine the information regarding the identification of the user, anda reply to the e-mail can be sent to the user without requiring input ofthe mail address of the user at the receiving apparatus, the reply beingsent from the receiving apparatus.
 7. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image data source comprisesa scanner connected to the image data communication apparatus.
 8. Theimage data communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein thepanel section comprises a personal computer connected to the image datacommunication apparatus.
 9. The image data communication apparatusaccording to claim 8, wherein the personal computer displays an HTMLdocument for storing the information regarding the identification of theuser and the mail address of the user in the memory.
 10. The image datacommunication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image dataattached to the e-mail is converted into a format for e-mailtransmission.
 11. An image data communication apparatus connected to animage data source and to a network, and transmitting image data attachedto an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mailincluding a mail from command and a mail message, the image dataattached to the e-mail as an openable document, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a memory configured to storeinformation regarding an identification of at least one user of theimage data communication apparatus and a mail address of the at leastone user; and a panel section configured to select the informationregarding an identification of at least one user and the mail address ofthe at least one user stored in the memory; a controller configured toset the information regarding the identification of the user and themail address of the user selected by the panel section, into the mailmessage of the e-mail to which the image data is attached, wherebyopening, at the receiving apparatus, of the attached image data is notrequired to determine the information regarding the identification ofthe user, and a reply to the e-mail is returned to the mail address ofthe user.
 12. The image data communication apparatus according to claim11, wherein the image data source comprises a scanner connected to theimage data communication apparatus.
 13. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the panel section comprises apersonal computer connected to the image data communication apparatus.14. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 13,wherein the personal computer displays an HTML document for storing theinformation regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user in the memory.
 15. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image data attached to thee-mail is converted into a format for e-mail transmission.
 16. An imagedata communication apparatus connected to an image data source and to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, the image data communication apparatuscomprising: a memory configured to store information regarding anidentification of at least one user of the image data communicationapparatus and a mail address of the at least one user; a panel sectionconfigured to select the information regarding an identification of atleast one user and the mail address of the at least one user stored inthe memory; and a controller configured to set the information regardingthe identification of the user and the mail address of the user selectedby the panel section, into the mail message of the e-mail to which theimage data is attached.
 17. The image data communication apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the image data source comprises a scannerconnected to the image data communication apparatus.
 18. The image datacommunication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the panel sectioncomprises a personal computer connected to the image data communicationapparatus.
 19. The image data communication apparatus according to claim18, wherein the personal computer displays an HTML document for storingthe information regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user in the memory.
 20. The image data communicationapparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image data attached to thee-mail is converted into a format for e-mail transmission.
 21. An imagedata communication apparatus connected to a network, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmitimage data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via thenetwork, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message,the image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document; a memoryconfigured to store information regarding an identification of at leastone user of the image data communication apparatus and a mail address ofthe at least one user; a panel section configured to select theinformation regarding an identification of at least one user and themail address of the at least one user stored in the memory; and acontroller configured to set the information regarding theidentification of the user and the mail address of the user selected bythe panel section, into the mail message of the e-mail to which theimage data is attached, whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, ofthe attached image data is not required to determine the informationregarding the identification of the user, and the mail address of theuser set into the mail message of the e-mail can be utilized as adestination of a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sent from thereceiving apparatus.
 22. The image data communication apparatusaccording to claim 21, wherein the image data attached to the e-mail isconverted into a format for e-mail transmission.
 23. An image datacommunication apparatus connected to a network, the image datacommunication apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmitimage data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatus via thenetwork, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mail message,the image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document; a memoryconfigured to store information regarding an identification of at leastone user of the image data communication apparatus and a mail address ofthe at least one user; a panel section configured to select theinformation regarding an identification of at least one user and themail address of the at least one user stored in the memory; a controllerconfigured to set the information regarding the identification of theuser and the mail address of the user selected by the panel section,into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached,whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of the attached image datais not required to determine-the information regarding theidentification of the user, and a replay to the e-mail can be sent tothe user without requiring input of the mail address of the user at thereceiving apparatus, the reply being sent from the receiving apparatus.24. The image data communication apparatus according to claim 23,wherein the. image data attached to the e-mail is converted into aformat for e-mail transmission.
 25. An image data communicationapparatus connected to a network, the image data communication apparatuscomprising: a transmitter configured to transmit image data attached toan e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail includinga mail from command and a mail message, the image data attached to thee-mail as an openable document; a memory configured to store informationregarding an identification of at least one user of the image datacommunication apparatus and a mail address of the at least one user; apanel section configured to select the information regarding theidentification of at least one user and the mail address of the at leastone user stored in the memory; a controller configured to set theinformation regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user selected by the panel section, into the mail messageof the e-mail to which the image data is attached, whereby opening, atthe receiving apparatus, of the attached image data is not required todetermine the information regarding the identification of the user, anda reply to the e-mail is returned to the mail address of the user. 26.The image data communication apparatus according to claim 25, whereinthe image data attached to the e-mail is converted into a format fore-mail transmission.
 27. An image data communication apparatus connectedto a network, the image data communication apparatus comprising: atransmitter configured to transmit image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message; a memory configured to store informationregarding an identification of at least one user of the image datacommunication apparatus and a mail address of the at least one user; apanel section configured to select the information regarding anidentification of at least one user and the mail address of the at leastone user stored in the memory; a controller configured to setinformation regarding the identification of the user and the mailaddress of the user selected by the panel section, into the mail messageof the e-mail to which the image data is attached.
 28. The image datacommunication apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the image dataattached to the e-mail is converted into a format for e-mailtransmission.
 29. A method for controlling an image data communicationapparatus connected to an image data source and to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatusvia the network, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document,a memory storing the information regarding the identification of atleast one user and a mail address of the at least one user, the methodcomprising: selecting the information regarding an identification of atleast one user and the mail address of the at least one user stored inthe memory; setting the selected information regarding theidentification of the user and the selected mail address of the userinto the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached,whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of the attached image datais not required to determine the information regarding theidentification of the user, and the mail address of the user set intothe mail message of the e-mail can be utilized as a destination of areply to the e-mail at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sentfrom the receiving apparatus.
 30. The method according to claim 29,wherein the image data attached to the e-mail is converted into a formatfor e-mail transmission.
 31. A method for controlling an image datacommunication apparatus connected to an image data source and to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, the image data attached to the e-mail as anopenable document, a memory storing the information regarding theidentification of at least one user and a mail address of the at leastone user, the method comprising: selecting the information regarding anidentification of at least one user and the mail address of the at leastone user stored in the memory; setting the selected informationregarding the identification of the user and the selected mail addressof the user into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image datais attached, whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of theattached image data is not required to determine the informationregarding the identification of the user, and a replay to the e-mail canbe sent to the user without requiring input of the mail address of theuser at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sent from the receivingapparatus.
 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the image dataattached to the e-mail is converted into a format for e-mailtransmission.
 33. A method for controlling an image data communicationapparatus connected to an image data source and to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail to a receiving apparatusvia the network, the e-mail including a mail from command and a mailmessage, the image data attached to the e-mail as an openable document,a memory storing the information regarding the identification of atleast one user and a mail address of the at least one user, the methodcomprising: selecting the information regarding an identification of atleast one user and the mail address of the at least one user stored inthe memory; setting the selected information regarding theidentification of the user and the selected mail address of the userinto the mail message of the e-mail to which the image data is attached,whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of the attached image datais not required to determine the information regarding theidentification of the user, and a reply to the e-mail is returned to themail address of the user.
 34. The method according to claim 33, whereinthe image data attached to the e-mail is converted into a format fore-mail transmission.
 35. A method for controlling an image datacommunication apparatus connected to an image data source and to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, a memory storing the information regardingthe identification of at least one user and a mail address of the atleast one user, the method comprising: selecting the informationregarding an identification of at least one user and the mail address ofthe at least one user stored in the memory; setting the selectedinformation regarding the identification of the user and the selectedmail address of the user into the mail message of the e-mail to whichthe image data is attached.
 36. The method according to claim 35,wherein the image data attached to the e-mail is converted into a formatfor e-mail transmission.
 37. A method for controlling an image datacommunication apparatus connected to a network, and transmitting imagedata attached to an e-mail, the e-mail including a mail from command anda mail message, an image data being attached to the e-mail as anopenable document, a memory storing the information regarding theidentification of at least one user and a mail address of the at leastone user, the method comprising: selecting the information regarding anidentification of at least one user and the mail address of the at leastone user stored in the memory; setting the selected informationregarding the identification of the user and the selected mail addressof the user into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image datais attached, whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of theattached image data is not required to determine the informationregarding the identification of the user, and the mail address of theuser set into the mail message of the e-mail can be utilized asdestination for a reply to the e-mail, the reply being sent from thereceiving apparatus; transmitting the image data attached to the e-mailto a receiving apparatus via the network.
 38. The method according toclaim 37, wherein the image data attached to the e-mail is convertedinto a format for e-mail transmission.
 39. A method for controlling animage data communication apparatus connected to a network, andtransmitting image data attached to an e-mail, the e-mail including amail from command and a mail message, an image data being attached tothe e-mail as an openable document, a memory storing the informationregarding the identification of at least one user and a mail address ofthe at least one user, the method comprising: selecting the informationregarding an identification of at least one user and the mail address ofthe at least one user in the memory; setting the selected informationregarding the identification of the user and the selected mail addressof the user into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image datais attached, whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of theattached image data is not required to determine the informationregarding the identification of the user, and a replay to the e-mail canbe sent to the user without requiring input of the mail address of theuser at the receiving apparatus, the reply being sent from the receivingapparatus; transmitting the image data attached to the e-mail to areceiving apparatus via the network.
 40. The method according to claim39, wherein the image data attached to the e-mail is converted into aformat for e-mail transmission.
 41. A method for controlling an imagedata communication apparatus connected to a network, and transmittingimage data attached to an e-mail, the e-mail including a mail fromcommand and a mail message, an image data being attached to the e-mailas an openable document, a memory storing the information regarding theidentification of at least one user and a mail address of the at leastone user, the method comprising: selecting the information regarding anidentification of at least one user and the mail address of the at leastone user stored in the memory; setting the selected informationregarding the identification of the user and the selected mail addressof the user into the mail message of the e-mail to which the image datais attached, whereby opening, at the receiving apparatus, of theattached image data is not required to determine the informationregarding the identification of the user, and a reply to the e-mail isreturned to the mail address of the user; transmitting the image dataattached to the e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network.
 42. Themethod according to claim 41, wherein the image data attached to thee-mail is converted into a format for e-mail transmission.
 43. A methodfor controlling an image data communication apparatus connected to anetwork, and transmitting image data attached to an e-mail, the e-mailincluding a mail from command and a mail message, a memory storing theinformation regarding the identification of at least one user and a mailaddress of the at least one user, the method comprising: selecting theinformation regarding an identification of at least one user and themail address of the at least one user stored in the memory; setting theselected information regarding the identification of the user and theselected mail address of the user into the mail message of the e-mail towhich the image data is attached; transmitting the image data attachedto the e-mail to a receiving apparatus via the network.
 44. The methodaccording to claim 43, wherein the image data attached to the e-mail isconverted into a format for e-mail transmission.